Habitat for Humanity: Home ownership opportunities

Habitat for Humanity has recently announced the recipient for its latest home, Megan Cottrell, who is a four-year veteran of the U.S. Navy. She resides with her son and parents in Johannesburg.

According to Habitat Executive Director Donna Quandt, it was a decision that was not made hastily.

“It was a difficult choice to make,”Quandt said. “She was chosen because she demonstrated the greatest amount of need.”

Recipients are chosen by the five-member Family Selection Committee in a process which takes 2-3 months. Applicants must meet several requirements, including the ability to pay, demonstrate a need, have a willingness to partner with Habitat for Humanity (perform sweat equity) and be a resident of Otsego County.

Habitat will be opening the application for its next house beginning May 1 with a deadline of June 30. Applications can be picked up at the affiliate office attached to the Habitat ReStore.

Last year, Habitat completed two houses, a task that may not have been possible without hardworking volunteers. One organization that enthusiastically gives their time is the Boyne Valley Catholic Community Youth Ministry, a group 15 young adults from the Boyne area.

According church representative Patty Furtaw, “The youth ministry program focuses on eight different components. One of the ways that we have found to work on the component of peace and justice is by working with the Otsego branch of Habitat for Humanity.”

The youth ministry is not the only group. While completing the last home, six groups gathered to put in more than 1,500 hours of volunteer work.

That number is not lost on Quandt.

“That’s how we can make these homes available and affordable, by volunteerism. We would not be able to do it if it weren’t for them.”

Otsego County Habitat for Humanity is located at 1384 W. Main St. For more information or to volunteer, call 732-6070 or visit wwwotsegohabitat.org.